Redwood forest at Samuel P. Taylor State Park, Marin County, California

Choose one of the canopy layers and see what other species are found in the redwood forest.

The coast redwood, stretches along the northern California Coast from Monterey County to the southwestern corner of Oregon. The largest contiguous communities are found in Humboldt and Del Norte counties in California. From Sonoma to Monterey County, redwood stands tend to occur in small isolated groves, including those at our first field trip stop in Samuel P. Taylor State Park in western Marin County, California (Kricher 1993; Munz and Keck 1973).

The redwood forest community has carved a unique niche, preferring a mild Mediterranean climate that includes dense dripping fog, north facing seaward slopes of the outer coastal ranges, minimal diurnal or seasonal temperature change, and moist, well drained soil. It requires high moisture levels and receives between 35-100 inches of annual rainfall. At the same time, it avoids salt spray and heavy salt laden wind, seeking the protection of the beach, dune and scrub communities from the harsh coastal climate. It also favors deep, wet canyon bottoms near streams and rivers, and thrives in flooding and heavy siltation (Bakker 1984; Johnston 1994; and Kricher 1993; Shuford & Timossi 1989).

S. sempervirens ability to quickly grow a new root system near the surface of recent silt deposits offers an obvious advantage over other tree species. According to Bakker (1984), forest rangers frequently refer to the redwood forest community as "disaster climax forests" because it seems periodic "disasters" are required and preferred for their survival.

Redwoods trees (Sequoia sempervirens) are also known for their resistance to fire as is evident by their fire scars, but still they are able to survive. They are protected by a very thick bark that lacks the highly flammable resin of other tree species. Young redwood seedlings prefer recently burned soil and develop rapidly in it (Kricher 1993).

These distinct environmental and climatic conditions make the inland coastal range of California an ideal environment for S. sempervirens (Bakker 1984; Johnston 1994; and Kricher 1993).